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St Pauls Celtic progress in the Cup

Second half comeback from the Celtic help them see of a strong Kismayo team

Having suffered their first defeat in the league to Kismayo only two weeks previous, St Paul's Celtic were on something of a revenge mission on a rain-soaked Market Road pitch last night. The previous encounter between these sides saw Celtic surrender meekly to the younger Kismayo side and with the Celtic squad reduced to a bare 14 due to illness and other commitments the signs were that this was going to be another tight affair. A re-shuffle of the side saw Wilson and Majid replace Beelders and McGinley at the centre of defence, with the captain moving to the left back slot in place of Ryan McGuckin; who was pushed forward into a more advanced left wing role. Kennedy returned to the starting line-up alongside debutante Australian Ryan Bray, with McBride, Molloy, Rogan and Coull keeping their starting places and the ever-impressive Archie Hamilton the last line of defence in the Celtic goal.

Off to a great start

The changed shape and personnel started the game brightly, with McGuckin's direct running drawing foul after foul from the Kismayo right full-back and Ryan Bray pulling the strings in midfield. St Paul's looked to be heeding the call for more aggression and were strong in the tackle all over the pitch. Kismayo are a talented side however, with each of their players comfortable with the ball at their feet and when they got on the ball they were dangerous. Their central midfield player wearing number 12 was a particular threat. A small, slight but very quick and skilful player, he gave Kennedy and Bray a tough time in the middle of the park with his ability to manufacture himself space to drive forward. The St Paul's defence were solid though, dealing with everything that Kismayo sent their way. Wilson and Majid formed a strong partnership through good communication and aided by McBride and skipper McGinley in the full back positions, they defended as a unit holding a strong line and stepping out well.

Chances

The first chance fell to St Paul's; new boy Bray driving through midfield before unleashing a stinging low drive that shaved the post with the Kismayo 'keeper flat-footed and immobile. The game threatened to turn nasty with some of the tackles flying in from Kismayo. McGuckin was a constant target and one vicious tackle up ended him before McBride felt the force of a shocking tackle, sending him flying horizontally into the small-sided goals at the side of the pitch. McGinley was booked in the melee that followed along with the perpetrator of the foul. St Paul's were playing some good football, despite the wet and slippy conditions, and had Kismayo pinned in their own half. Bray again went close with a rasping effort from 30 yards which again flashed wide, this time on the opposite side of the goal. McGuckin struck the post from an acute angle after some excellent interplay between Rogan, Molloy and Coull. Celtic's dead-ball delivery had been excellent, particularly from Molloy's corners. McGinley rose above the Kismayo defence but failed to make proper contact, and Rogan got his head to an excellent McBride cross but couldn't get his shot on target.

Kennedy then struck the frame of the goal, his cross-come-shot lobbing the 'keeper but rebounding back of junction of cross bar and post, before Kismayo hit the bar from corner; lax defending allowing them the space to rise to the ball. It looked only a matter of time before Celtic would break the dead-lock yet it was the Light Blues who took the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Unlucky opener

Kismayo had relied on long balls to their quick strikers but all had been nullified by intelligent defending from the back four and Hamilton in the Celtic goal. It was frustrating then that Kismayo were gifted a goal from one these long balls from the boot of a Celtic player. A long ball was shepherded easily by Majid, but with Hamilton coming out to clear Majid passed the ball blindly back, past Hamilton and into the Celtic goal. The pre-match team talk had emphasised the need for communication yet it broke down on this occasion and again it looked like it would be a night to forget for the London Hoops.

Taking the game to the opposition

The second half started as the first had, with Celtic taking the game to Kismayo. The late goal at the end of the first half had galvanised Celtic and the aggression shown at the start of the match had returned. Hard but fair tackles put doubt in the Kismayo players' heads and there was a reluctance from some to take the responsibility of possession.

Celtic rewarded

It wasn't long before the pressure paid off for Celtic, a fantastic pass sent Molloy racing down the wing and his cross was swept into the goal by Coull for his 13th goal of the season. It was a beautifully simple goal and one that raised the spirits of the Celtic players. Kismayo were again reduced to playing the ball across their backline and the constant pressure from the Celtic players meant that again they resorted to long balls. The pace and skill of their attack was still a threat, but the St Paul's back four were always a step ahead, playing an excellent high defensive line and constantly catching the strikers in the offside trap.

Their distribution and ability to bring the ball out of defence was also excellent, with full backs McBride and McGinley always available to aid attacks and Majid and Wilson cool and strong at the back, dealing with everything thrown at them. Celtic's 2nd came from two unlikely sources; Ryan McGuckin and his right foot. A ball to Coull was beautifully knocked back into the path of McGuckin coming in from the left wing and the full-back turned winger struck the ball on the volley into the far top corner from just inside the area. It was a terrific strike and sent the St Paul's players into raptures. The goal seemed to deflate Kismayo and their positional discipline was abandoned in favour of throwing everyone forward. They went to a 4-2-4 and started to push St Paul's back as the game became more open. Molloy went close, cutting in from the right but the Kismayo 'keeper got his body in the way to deny the Irishman. There was a strong penalty claim when McGuckin again cut inside from the left.

He drove into the box and was up-ended but incredibly the referee waved play-on. Blair was introduced for the injured Bray on the 70 minute mark as St Paul's went 4-4-2 with Rogan dropping into midfield alongside Kennedy. The match swung from end to end and Hamilton had to be on high alert sweeping up any danger from the through balls for the Kismayo strikers to chase. Rogan should have done better with a wonderful inch perfect cross from Coull, but his header was too cushioned and went wide. Coull was again a thorn in the Kismayo defence's side as they struggled to deal with his movement and he was unlucky to be incorrectly ruled off-side when he would have been one-on-one with the Kismayo 'keeper and odds on favourite to grab his 14th of the season in an incredible 8 games.

Icing on the cake

The game was put beyond the reach of Kismayo in the 85th minute. St Paul's were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area after a handball and Kennedy stepped up to send a free-kick over the wall and into the net, the Kismayo 'keeper just getting a fingertip to it.

MacCann and Butt were introduced for Kennedy and McGuckin for the last few minutes, but the match was wrapped up and revenge had been secured. It was a strong if not always pretty performance from St Paul's, much improved on the previous performance. The Bhoys stood up to the Kismayo players and shut them down quickly and efficiently for the entire 90 minutes. Every single one of the Celtic men were excellent, however Ryan McGuckin's contribution from the left-wing both defensively and going forward earned him the man of the match award, capping his performance with a wonderful goal.

League duty for St Paul's next week when they take on London Galacticos who currently sit rock bottom of division 3 having been on the end of some big defeats.

St Paul's Celtic (4-5-1) Hamilton; McBride, Wilson, Majid, McGinley; Molloy, Kennedy (Butt 85), Rogan, Bray (Blair 70), McGuckin (MacCann 85); Coull